Meet the little-known "Soundblaster" Keyboards

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  • Опубліковано 31 лип 2015
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    Synths that use the YM3812
    Yamaha PSR-11 49-keys 16-sounds (1986)
    Yamaha PSR-12 49-keys 32-sounds (1987)
    Yamaha PSR-31* 61-keys 16-sounds (1991)
    Yamaha PSR-32* 61-keys 32-sounds (1987)
    Yamaha PSS-460 49-keys 21-sounds (1986)
    Yamaha PSS-470 49-keys 21-sounds (1987)
    Yamaha PSS-560* 49-keys 21-sounds (1986)
    Yamaha PSS-570* 49-keys 21-sounds (1987)
    *While it does use the YM3812, it also uses an additional chip for drums.
    Synths that use the YM2413 (cost reduced YM3812)
    Yamaha PSR-6 49-keys 100-sounds (1994)
    Yamaha PSS-140 37-keys 100-sounds (1988)
    Yamaha PSS-170 44-keys 100-sounds (1986)
    Yamaha PSS-270 49-keys 100-sounds (1986)

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,6 тис.

  • @collinmcdonald83
    @collinmcdonald83 8 років тому +153

    I found a PSS-470 for sale at a yard sale today for 20 bucks. I saw it and couldnt remember whether or not it was one of the keyboards you had talked about, but I bought it and its awesome. All of this old technology is so interesting.

    • @The8BitGuy
      @The8BitGuy  8 років тому +17

      +collin m Great deal! I had to pay 3 times that much for mine and the PSS-470 is my favorite of all of my keyboards.

    • @stopfidgetting
      @stopfidgetting 8 років тому +7

      I just found one at my local thrift store for $9.99 and I couldn't convince my mom to buy it for me... so sad :(

    • @olivertaylor7247
      @olivertaylor7247 8 років тому +1

      +Caudex I know what you mean.

    • @TanjoGalbi
      @TanjoGalbi 8 років тому +2

      I still have my old PSS-580. I used to use it with my Atari STFM to try to produce music (I was not, am still not very good at it!) but my fondest memories was having games like Leisure Suit Larry use MIDI out to produce much better sounding game music through my Yamaha keyboard :)

    • @nokkusuu
      @nokkusuu 8 років тому +2

      I have Fruity DX10... is that good enough? xD

  • @bambel4997
    @bambel4997 7 років тому +214

    3:13 "I also wanna show you that it definitely has nine voices. It's actually kind of hard to do, but ill hold down nine keys."
    *plays nine keys with 5 fingers when he has 10 fingers*

  • @tohopes
    @tohopes 7 років тому +349

    2:18 "It's a Sound Blaster with keys!"
    Funny because the AdLib and Sound Blaster were basically Yamaha DX-series synths _without_ keys. (Well, stripped-down DX series synths.)

    • @allaboutthatphatbass2968
      @allaboutthatphatbass2968 7 років тому

      tohopes true

    • @Sekeletu
      @Sekeletu 6 років тому +5

      Than you could say, that those keyboards were basically DX-series synths rebranded to PS-series? :)

    • @ian_b
      @ian_b 6 років тому +16

      I've never understood how Yamaha's FM synthesis took over the synth universe in the 80s. It was terribly difficult to program, and when you did, it sounded rubbish. All that tinkly bonk 80s stereotype comes from the DX series (to oversimplify a bit). Thank God analogue (at least soundwise, if digitally emulated) made a comeback when everybody sobered up from the DX-7 party. I really don't understand how anyone could like the sounds the DXes produced.

    • @ian_b
      @ian_b 6 років тому +10

      Well yes, but "outlandish" doesn't get used much in music. All the DX stuff sounded terribly thin, which is why nobody but the retro community use it any more. It just felt at the time, for me, like synthesizer music "died" when the DX7 came out, and didn't rise from the grave again until the rave community got hold of the TB303, heh. People had stopped using synths as a unique instrument. Why bother when you can just pull out the same 5 presets over and over again?
      I love the sound of a real Fender Rhodes. But that DX7 monstrosity of a patch brings me out in hives.

    • @MrHal90000
      @MrHal90000 6 років тому +27

      That's like, your opinion man.

  • @AdamTheAd-vanc3d
    @AdamTheAd-vanc3d 6 років тому +18

    Love this channel. The nostalgia trip is heart warming. Amazing how technology has come a long way , still these devices are very useful.

  • @shmehfleh3115
    @shmehfleh3115 8 років тому +34

    I think it's more fair to say modern PCs still support the general MIDI standard rather than Yamaha FM synth chips specifically. Sound Blaster cards only included Yamaha's FM synth chips through the Sound Blaster 16 days. Starting with the AWE32, Creative Labs dumped Yamaha's chips in favor of the e-Mu line of MIDI synthesizers/DSPs. They kept support for Yamaha FM synth in their cards only until DOS gaming was dead & gone, and that level of hardware backwards-compatibility was no longer needed. These days, Windows provides MIDI playback via a rather crappy software-based wavetable synthesizer.

  • @3lH4ck3rC0mf0r7
    @3lH4ck3rC0mf0r7 8 років тому +272

    Fun facts for you: 64-bit Windows computers can't emulate DOS games, so sound chip emulators for those aren't bundled with those 64-bit editions. You'll need something else, like DOSBox. On a side note, many versions of Windows, both 64 and 32-bit, emulate a GS Wavetable Synthesizer, with samples from Roland's Sound Canvas GM/GS Sound Set from 1996, for when you ask your music player app to play a MIDI file. These samples were licensed to Microsoft and are bundled with Windows to this day.

    • @3lH4ck3rC0mf0r7
      @3lH4ck3rC0mf0r7 8 років тому +23

      Also, since Windows Vista, new models for graphics controllers were made, WDDM controllers. These can't jump into text mode or send DOS graphics data. So proper DOS emulation was broken in the newest editions of Windows.

    • @3lH4ck3rC0mf0r7
      @3lH4ck3rC0mf0r7 8 років тому +27

      Doddo MultiGamer​​​​​​​​ One word: *EMULATION.*
      Windows x64 itself may not be able to run DOS games due to a processor layer being unavailable, but if the processor itself is told to run 32-bit Windows or 16-bit DOS, that layer will be emulated and run just fine!
      DOSBox emulates this layer too, all the time. That's why it can run on a 64-bit Windows PC too.
      As for exactly what that layer... instruction thing is... I don't remember.
      Windows WDDM controllers may be unable to jump to text mode, but your computer's BIOS or EFI CSM module are still capable of it. But in EFI machines, their CSM module is also an emulator. EFI PCs have another set of protocols for console text and graphics display.
      In other words: GODDAMIT MS EMULATE THAT SUBSYSTEM ALREADY AND GIMME MY DOS APPS BACK!!
      If WDDM controllers can't run in text mode, then don't. Just pop a window in fullscreen exclusive mode (the kind videogames use) and emulate textmode instead of trying to pipe it to the system directly. That's what DOSBox does, and it works.

    • @SianaGearz
      @SianaGearz 7 років тому +9

      WDDM is merely a Windows interface to the graphics driver, it says nothing about capabilities of the hardware. It was intoduced in Windows Vista, where some things like GDI acceleration and text mode were no longer needed and thus are no longer accessible from within Windows. But other operating systems, Linux, older versions of Windows, etc., can still support text mode, it's not gone from the hardware.
      Other peculiarity is that once a x86-64 processor has been reinitialized in long mode (64-bit support), vm86 mode is no longer available by spec. Vm86 is the mode that allows a protected-mode program to span a real-mode compatible environment inside of itself. DOS support in Windows 2000, XP was completely based around vm86 mode. So it made sense for Microsoft to start removing things that were needed for vm86 support.
      I don't know why Microsoft should concern themselves with emulation of older subsystems necessary for DOS games? They were never particularly thorough at that, in theory third parties can do a better job. But it's not a very commercially viable field, so that limits the effort put into that.

    • @skirmich
      @skirmich 7 років тому +6

      Why the Global Defense Initiative will have an Acceleration and Text Mode? Man that is why NOD kicks it ass all the time.

    • @AshBashVids
      @AshBashVids 7 років тому +5

      You could just build a retro PC and use it for DOS. Parts are fairly cheap.

  • @davidsantos1381
    @davidsantos1381 8 років тому +52

    What an outstanding piece of research you have done here... This is what youtube should stand for!
    And you are quite capable musician too... It would be cool to see the capabilities of this platforms with a little composition
    These have been 10 minutes well spent... Greetings form Colombia!!

  • @elmosexwhistle
    @elmosexwhistle 7 років тому +2

    Hi @The 8-Bit Guy, the top of the range Yamaha home keyboard at the time was the PSR 36. It is a PSR 32 with the 470 sliders added back in, AND ALSO MIDI!

    • @jackispax1633
      @jackispax1633 11 днів тому

      The PSR-41 is actually one small step above the 36, adding a melody sequencer and a transpose function. Otherwise identical.

  • @jordanzish
    @jordanzish 9 років тому +26

    These keyboards sound great. So much better than the sample-based Casios I grew up with in the 90s. I would love something like this with a Commodore 64 SID chip in it. I converted an old Casio keyboard into a MIDI keyboard with a breadboard and a Teensy, and I have a SID chip lying around. I might just have to try and make that happen.

    • @The8BitGuy
      @The8BitGuy  8 років тому +10

      +jordanzish That would be cool. It should be possible to do using Arduino or something like that to substitute as a brain for the keyboard. You could turn any keyboard into a SID station.

  • @elviswjr
    @elviswjr 8 років тому +60

    Those keyboards sound deliciously retro. If I could play I would definitely buy one just so I could recreate old-school video game music.

    • @TinchoX
      @TinchoX 8 років тому +2

      +APPLBL00M You can do that via software nowadays.... but I guess it doesn't "Sound" the same.

    • @ozzie_goat
      @ozzie_goat 8 років тому

      +TinchoX That pun was bad.

    • @TinchoX
      @TinchoX 8 років тому

      Blowtorch the Robot Lol!! Haha no it was not a pun but I just realized it made it sound that way xD.

    • @TorutheRedFox
      @TorutheRedFox 8 років тому +1

      +Elvis S Same. Sega Genesis-like music here I come! Also I think the YM2612 is a cost reduced version of the YM3812. Both even end in 12!

    • @thealternativej7994
      @thealternativej7994 8 років тому +1

      That depends on how accurate the YM FM emulation is.

  • @magicgiraffesoundworks4533
    @magicgiraffesoundworks4533 5 років тому +20

    I just bought one of these (PSS-470) for $60 after watching your video. Super cool addition to my gear!

  • @sbanner428
    @sbanner428 Рік тому +3

    This inspired 9yo me to get a PSS-470 for ~$50, and years later I still love it :D

  • @tubeularfag
    @tubeularfag 8 років тому +3

    So excited to hear the new music channel. This is just the material I would wish to produce. Looking forward to some create sounds from the past.

  • @gideonwaxfarb
    @gideonwaxfarb 7 років тому +52

    I had the Yamaha PSS-470 back in the day. Had no idea it was an FM synth. Guess it was a poor kid's DX7 :)

    • @djdigital3806
      @djdigital3806 6 років тому

      Gideon Waxfarb
      Love that DX7

    • @EmmanouelKatsoulakis
      @EmmanouelKatsoulakis 5 років тому +3

      I still have my Yamaha PSS 470 around and keep it for my nephew to learn playing. I admit I had a fun go at it recently. But I didn’t know that it was basically a sound blaster with keys. Thank you for the info Mr 8bit guy

  • @thesemenincident
    @thesemenincident 8 років тому +2

    Great video, thanks! I really appreciate the time and effort you've put into documenting these YM3812 devices.

  • @dabistudio_japan
    @dabistudio_japan 8 років тому +1

    Very nice video! I also loved the one you made explaining the synth sound on each one of the consoles and old computers. It is really illustrative to learn how to compose that kind of music from the bases.

  • @RYN1980
    @RYN1980 9 років тому +24

    Cool. I love FM synthesis. Yamaha developed many FM sound chips throughout the 80s and 90s. Pretty much anything you heard was yamaha until the later half of the 90s when sample based sound was becoming common. Yamaha changed the world with its professional keyboard DX-7 in 1983.

    • @djdigital3806
      @djdigital3806 6 років тому +1

      Ryan Hurshman
      I used to own a DX7. Classic sounds.

    • @SPAZZOID100
      @SPAZZOID100 5 років тому

      Ryan Hurshman impossible to program. TERRIBLE interface.

    • @MrPoonmoon
      @MrPoonmoon 5 років тому +1

      Not quite, the market was pretty full of choice but yep FM was the 80's sound of choice, although I stuck with my Yammy Analogue synth for depth FM didn't have. There was a distinct difference between the big hitters in the 80's - I could hear whether a band used Yamaha, Roland, Korg & Casio etc. But really the kings of FM in the 80s imo was Roland; you can't beat a Juno ;)

  • @asdfasdf4345artsdfg
    @asdfasdf4345artsdfg 8 років тому +6

    I saw this video of a live performance from 1987, where the (extremely skilled) keyboardist was able to rock his fingers side to side in order to produce a fluttering sound - similar to one you'd hear if you were to do the same on strings. It must have been an extremely advanced keyboard for its time, and it definitely was a nice performance. It seemed to have plenty of synths as well. It would be cool to identify.

  •  5 років тому

    Love this! Those were amazing times of discovery. Look forward to your music channel.

  • @CowboyGarage
    @CowboyGarage 4 місяці тому +1

    Wowsers, I have a PSS-570 and PSS-270 sitting beside me as I watch this. They were my first two keyboards from back in the 80's when I was learning to play.

  • @patrickmullen5167
    @patrickmullen5167 4 роки тому +3

    As a child born in the 70’s, that grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, I absolutely love your channel 👍

  • @ArtoPekkanen
    @ArtoPekkanen 8 років тому +21

    Oh my god, that Ultima 6 intro sounded so MAJESTIC on this keyboard .... so nostalgic. I am shedding a tear :)

    • @xeostube
      @xeostube 2 роки тому

      Indeed! I was always impressed by that intro tune.

  • @n0lanv0id
    @n0lanv0id 8 років тому

    Such a great video so glad I stumbled on this! I'm even more excited to know now about your music channel!

  • @NoNonsenseKnowHow
    @NoNonsenseKnowHow 4 роки тому

    Awesome video man!!! Really brings me back!

  • @justanotheryoutubechannel
    @justanotheryoutubechannel 5 років тому +16

    Oh man, I’m so glad I didn’t grow up in the eras where soundcards were necessary. That would be awful! I’d be stuck with PC Speaker as I’m an idiot and wouldn’t know how to install a better card.

  • @naoidfpaiourej3299
    @naoidfpaiourej3299 5 років тому +3

    I got a PSS 570 for my birthday in 1986. I loved it and made hours of cassette tapes of recording music with it. I thought I recognised the similarity between the FM sounds of the soundblaster cards in the early 90s and my old keyboard!!

  • @sebastianelsasser8128
    @sebastianelsasser8128 8 років тому

    This channel is awesome! It really gets me fascinated about how that good old technology from the 80s and 90s worked. Amazing!

  • @kozegwaard2264
    @kozegwaard2264 7 років тому

    Oh man, hearing the SQ3 theme took me way back!
    Like how you make this informative even for people who are that not much into hardware.

  • @MrBenMcLean
    @MrBenMcLean 8 років тому +4

    Thanks to this video, I got my own! Now I love my PSS-570 soundblaster keyboard :)
    It is difficult to exactly match the sounds I remember from my favorite DOS game Soundblaster soundtracks though.

  • @human.earthling
    @human.earthling 9 років тому +5

    It's always worth watching your videos. Thanks!

  • @Ba1k3n
    @Ba1k3n 6 років тому

    Love your music videos now and always, cool that you have a Soundblaster in a Keyboard. Honestly though I could listen to you play music all day.

  • @ASH-ou4cg
    @ASH-ou4cg 5 років тому

    Very neat and informative! I stumbled upon this by accident, but am glad I did and it was definitely worth the watch. I like your clear and concise method of presentation. Keep up the great work!

  • @dragonfly_bry
    @dragonfly_bry 4 роки тому +3

    Damn man...all this AND the Slurm tee? Instant sub!!!!

  • @thegardenofeatin5965
    @thegardenofeatin5965 7 років тому +11

    That "piano" music is so very SNES. That is the sound of a town in a 16-bit JRPG.

    • @dizzym9554
      @dizzym9554 7 років тому +12

      Oddly enough, the SNES was actually using more "modern" PCM music, the Genesis would be a closer comparison as it used FM synthesis and a very similar chip to the YM3812 (specifically, the YM2612)

    • @Mr1p0d
      @Mr1p0d 7 років тому +2

      Also it would be the PC-98 that actually used the YM2608 most commonly known as OPNA, and that chip is basically the so-called "complete version of the 2612 that the Genesis/MD uses :3

    • @alandunaway3000
      @alandunaway3000 5 років тому +1

      The SNES was soundfont-based fart sound.

  • @mcrsit
    @mcrsit 8 років тому

    Thanks to your video I bought a splendid PSS-560! Sounds, looks and feels terrific, thx 8-bit Guy! And kudos for the new channel, 8-bit Keys! ^^

  • @id104335409
    @id104335409 8 років тому +2

    Hearing those sounds made me roll back my eyes with joy! I thought I'd never hear anything like that again!

  • @megabyte01
    @megabyte01 3 роки тому +3

    This and your other videos helped me to understand how the music from the games of my childhood worked. Thanks for all your hard work!

  • @SilverShrimpTX
    @SilverShrimpTX 9 років тому +41

    As a fellow Pianist,..you sir,...are a very good piano player :)

    • @SilverShrimpTX
      @SilverShrimpTX 9 років тому +2

      Also, I live in HOUSTON....the best city in TEXAS!!!!

    • @Khyree_Holmes
      @Khyree_Holmes 9 років тому +1

      +SilverShrimp TX I don't consider myself a concert pianist, I'm more a synthesizer guy... been playing [practicing] for years and make beats, too.
      Concert pianists are too structured in my opinion, people expect perfection in that area of music, don't get me wrong when I say I love classical music, I'd listen to ANYTHING.... I don't like to read sheet music.

    • @Khyree_Holmes
      @Khyree_Holmes 8 років тому

      Yep!

    • @nonproquoloremipsumdolor7626
      @nonproquoloremipsumdolor7626 7 років тому

      I live in 2010 texas avenue

    • @aretard7995
      @aretard7995 3 роки тому

      @@Khyree_Holmes "I'd listen to ANYTHING" would you REALLY listen to Canon in D?!

  • @sam64evo
    @sam64evo 8 років тому

    i love old tech and keyboards is one of them love how you record keyboards at high quality really shows how great thay still sound after all them years now you are making me want Soundblaster now :)

  • @jamgard3
    @jamgard3 2 роки тому +2

    I found a PSS 470 at a thrift store a few years ago. 20 bucks in the box, adapter included. I had no idea about the history of it's sounds! Such a cool little synthesizer.

    • @80ssynthfan48
      @80ssynthfan48 Рік тому +1

      That's a good find. The 470 gets quite a lot of love on YT.

  • @Cheyne_TetraMFG
    @Cheyne_TetraMFG 4 роки тому +10

    07:17 just a fun fact, the synth used by Van Halen on "Jump" was the Oberheim OB-X, which was analog. Still, sounds fine if a little tinny on this Soundblaster chip.

    • @my_beer_stories
      @my_beer_stories 3 роки тому +2

      Fun fact 2: Modern Yamaha keyboards have a voice called "Jump Brass" which imitates the sound exactly.

  • @chocolateshake4917
    @chocolateshake4917 9 років тому +15

    Okay, in the last four hours you've not only convinced me to get back into game dev as a hobby, but also get a PSS-470 because that Ultima 4 intro was sick.
    I guess thanks; I've subbed and so have my friends. Great videos man!
    Annnnnd all your Futurama shirts kick ass.

  • @davidlister370
    @davidlister370 7 років тому

    I'm not musically talented, I don't even find keyboards interesting - but for some reason i find your videos really interesting and entertaining. I think it's your presentation style that keeps me engaged. Love your other channel too - keep up the good work!

  • @antonnym214
    @antonnym214 5 років тому +1

    I've decided yours is the best channel on youtube No matter the subject, you make it very interesting! Thank you for your efforts.

  • @kshinokevin
    @kshinokevin 6 років тому +3

    I totally remember the "Sound Blaster" sound card ! I still am using my late cousin's "Creative (Labs)" small speakers (for a laptop).

  • @wladimir.Quiroz
    @wladimir.Quiroz 9 років тому +3

    just found this channel and its awesome . I´m working on my blog talking about atari sound and music and i wanted to do a chapter about soundblaster and pc music. I think i will mention this episode on my blog.

    • @stuvs830
      @stuvs830 9 років тому

      Seems like a good match for the 99% Invisible podcast

  • @scottherr5922
    @scottherr5922 5 років тому

    Really great episode! Really appreciate this one. I'll be looking for one of those models. Thanks!

  • @ChrisJones-md9jz
    @ChrisJones-md9jz 9 місяців тому

    I had a PSS-560 back in the day. May have to get another one! And I use a SoundBlaster ZxR today. Thamks for taking me back 😊

  • @dadgumit2505
    @dadgumit2505 6 років тому +4

    glad you can still get the YM3812 chips on ebay! for cheap too. I will definitely do some projects with them

    • @someguystudios23
      @someguystudios23 4 роки тому

      Arent those the same ( or similar) to the ones found in the sega genesis?

  • @Dave_thenerd
    @Dave_thenerd 8 років тому +178

    Dude, you are great at playing the synthesizer !

    • @MrTrollinglol
      @MrTrollinglol 8 років тому +9

      I want him to review a fully fledged synthesizer at some point

    • @beybladeguru101
      @beybladeguru101 8 років тому +2

      +MrTrollinglol Go to his other channel! 8 - Bit Keys.

    • @MrTrollinglol
      @MrTrollinglol 8 років тому +5

      +Raptor I'm aware of that channel, I meant review a vintage synthesizer marketed as a professional instrument instead of a kids toy. like a Juno 106 or something

    • @beybladeguru101
      @beybladeguru101 8 років тому

      +MrTrollinglol Oh, I see. Sorry, I just misunderstood your comment.

    • @bambel4997
      @bambel4997 7 років тому

      If you can play the piano you can play anything with keys, lol

  • @LesProductionsZvon
    @LesProductionsZvon 5 років тому

    Just found this video, very informative and well presented!
    I have 2 PSS-470 and I have looked unsuccessfully on the web for info about them, great video.

  • @froggynotacon
    @froggynotacon 5 років тому

    I love this channel. I've seen almost all the videos! I managed to pick up a Yamaha PSR-11 today at a garage sale for $2. It needs a little work, but big win!

  • @allwrathnograpes
    @allwrathnograpes 7 років тому +184

    BRING BACK THE FM SYNTH CHIPS

    • @BlindLibrary
      @BlindLibrary 5 років тому +4

      Great for all the Sega Genesis/similar Yamaha-based FM processing.

    • @BlindLibrary
      @BlindLibrary 5 років тому +1

      Yes! The instrument of champion music lovers and authors!

    • @HappyBeezerStudios
      @HappyBeezerStudios 5 років тому +3

      Knobs and sliders and switches, for us physical guys.

    • @danalog76
      @danalog76 5 років тому

      Has anyone been able to convert the sliders to rotary pots?

    • @BlindLibrary
      @BlindLibrary 5 років тому

      That I wouldn't know.

  • @nicechordwiwi
    @nicechordwiwi 9 років тому +135

    Wow the iBook Guy plays the piano!

    • @Knight465
      @Knight465 5 років тому +1

      NiceChord (好和弦) !看舊片也能發現好和弦!

    • @luigikoopa8771
      @luigikoopa8771 3 роки тому +6

      I guess he had not made 8-Bit Keys yet...

    • @luigikoopa8771
      @luigikoopa8771 3 роки тому +2

      nvm I just read the discription

    • @kurotoro_official
      @kurotoro_official 3 роки тому +1

      This aged well

    • @bfapple
      @bfapple 3 роки тому +1

      @@kurotoro_official How?

  • @pnky81
    @pnky81 5 років тому +2

    My first keyboard ever was the Yamaha PSR-16 that uses the YM3420AD and YM3420BF chipset. It also has the "digital synthesizer" FM operator controls, which I loved as a kid.

  • @nos1000100
    @nos1000100 5 років тому

    still one of my favorite videos from this channel

  • @greenaum
    @greenaum 8 років тому +14

    Bit disappointed there's no actual Sound Blaster involved. And technically I think the chip would be more accurately called an Adlib chip, since the SB contained it for Adlib compatibility. As well as a way of having synth sounds. The Adlib was an earlier "standard" as much as there was one back then, still most PCs didn't have sound cards at all til the early 90s.
    I remember playing Doom with my SB16. Doom is 50% of the reason I bought a PC, and that's true for a lot of people. It had the same chip, I think, or a compatible one. Nowadays sound is all synthesised on your CPU, the PC's built-in sound chip is just a DAC, it can only play back samples, generated on the fly in software. Some more expensive cards have DSPs to generate those, cheap or built-in ones use the CPU.
    Still nice to see some of the cool old keyboards though. I managed to find the old demo tune from my old Casio keyboard and used it for a ringtone. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go! Used nearly every instrument the little keyboard could do, and there were like a hundred!

    • @stevebez2767
      @stevebez2767 4 роки тому

      in yer phase out char null gen timex root no swing quiz 0 THE way stars bluey stage com pass map 8bit mug off yankee slap kuddy toy chap iff tree hang hitlaa key C black white racey car boo tup shop clised wits food eh?

    • @half-assmusic6553
      @half-assmusic6553 2 роки тому

      It's literally the core of the sound blaster lmao

  • @TinchoX
    @TinchoX 8 років тому +20

    Ahh... that 8-bit keyboard sounds is hitting me right at my nostalgia hahaha.
    The only keyboard I ever played was an actual virtual keyboard that came with my old "Soundblaster Live! Value" soundcard software, it was a good piece of software, it allowed you to do a lot all sort of things.
    The good old days when MIDI music was the rage!!

  • @tubeularfag
    @tubeularfag 8 років тому

    This is great information 8-Bit Guy. One day I'll track down the right keyboard with the mentioned sound blaster chip so that I have the tools to create the original sounds.

  • @k.n.o.3558
    @k.n.o.3558 8 років тому

    I have a Yamaha PSS-170. It's one of my favorite keyboards! The Sustain and Portemento buttons are my favorite features. Thanks for this information.

  • @jonathan_herr
    @jonathan_herr 5 років тому +265

    Who's here in 2019 and remarking at how EMPTY HIS WALLS ARE?!?

    • @subzakk4226
      @subzakk4226 5 років тому +5

      You beat me to it

    • @montruo000000007
      @montruo000000007 4 роки тому +6

      Holy shit, didnt even notice till I read this!

    • @kurtownsj00
      @kurtownsj00 4 роки тому +8

      the "iBook Guy" thing was odd, then boom, empty walls.

    • @awilliams1701
      @awilliams1701 4 роки тому +2

      all his old videos are going to look empty now that he has that gigantic 1 million subscriber plaque. lol

    • @thescreemregular5168
      @thescreemregular5168 4 роки тому +1

      Me

  • @inversephase
    @inversephase 9 років тому +21

    Great video! Space Quest 3 and Ultima 6 were some of my favorite games to play as a kid, so I highly approve of the example songs. =] I have a few comments:
    At 8:10, you mention all voices on the YM2413 / OPLL have to use the same instrument, but that's not actually true. It's just that you can only define one instrument. Each channel can play that instrument or one of 15 other instruments that are not definable. The other instruments are generic stuff like "Trumpet" or "Vibraphone", and on keyboards that contain a YM2413 (I believe the PSR-6 has one?), the instrument chooser doesn't have to do any real "logic" to choose an instrument. A button can just send "switch to instrument 7" or whatever. For reference, here's a track that uses a YM2413: inversephase.bandcamp.com/track/token-ringfinger
    Anyone mentioning they have a different keyboard with potentially a different chip that "sounds the same" might be interested in knowing that they're probably still Yamaha keyboards with Yamaha OP-series chips, which means they're still built around FM. The underlying process with building music with FM is mostly the same regardless of the chip, which is why.
    Lastly, as for "having a keyboard with a Soundblaster in it"....you know that the gameport (that 15-pin thing) can double as a MIDI port, right? So you can connect any dumb MIDI controller with no output of its own to that and "play the soundblaster" if you like. Extra bonus, if you have some outboard gear like a Roland MT-32, you can use that soundcard selection to send music data from the same port.

  • @fredpayette5146
    @fredpayette5146 8 років тому

    Getting a PSS-570 tonight ! Excited. This is perfect for old school pc / console music.

  • @thomfroi
    @thomfroi 7 років тому

    Your booth with all that cable and boxes stuff is so cool! :-)

  • @psuadonym4740
    @psuadonym4740 9 років тому +18

    damn i remember back in the day i had to buy a sound card for warcraft 2 to have sound.

    • @Trancelistic
      @Trancelistic 9 років тому +7

      Psuado Nym Ye. I bough a like 2000$ dollar pentium 75 mhz pc. It didnt had a soundcard NOR a cd-rom. So I had to buy that later and it was my first time installing it in my pc. I was so scared to break something haha. It took me maybe 4 hours to install a card in its isa/pci slot lol. ( now its takes me like 5 sec ofcourse)
      AH good old days.

    • @psuadonym4740
      @psuadonym4740 9 років тому +4

      trancelistic yeah bro, I remember the first time i had to install ram, i was shook i was gonna break the desktop lol

    • @ashleyhedges
      @ashleyhedges 9 років тому +3

      Psuado Nym I remember doing the same to play Doom. First PC upgrade was for a 486 SX 25, 4meg to 12meg RAM as well as the Sound Blaster. Having to manually set jumpers for the port and irq, wow, times have changed.

    • @Trancelistic
      @Trancelistic 9 років тому +2

      That reminds me of a story. A friends dad had 4 Mb ram and I had 1 mb ram total. So we couldn't play doom. My friend advised to switched my ram with his dad so we could play sneaky. What a hell that was. Those fast page ram/edo ram was anoyingly stuck. Took us hours and pain in our finger nails ( on the first try haha)

    • @NakedSnake85
      @NakedSnake85 8 років тому +6

      +Psuado Nym "Your soundcard works PERFECTLY! It doesn't get any better than this!"

  • @davejanssens7490
    @davejanssens7490 7 років тому +5

    Hey man, i love your videos.
    You should do a review of Windows 1.0
    Hope you reply

  • @nagsdeadfilms7024
    @nagsdeadfilms7024 6 років тому

    Ha I thought this was going to be your 8 bit keys channel. I never knew this about these keyboards. Awesome lessen you've taught me..

  • @FinalBaton
    @FinalBaton 6 років тому +1

    In retrospect this video was so important in the lore of David's UA-cam content. It announced the launch of the much-loved "8-Bit Keys" channel #anewera #yuge

  • @benbenpotato
    @benbenpotato 7 років тому +3

    oh my god the soundboard looks like the soundcard I tore up last week for an art project

  • @MrROTD
    @MrROTD 8 років тому +4

    Add some guitar effects pedals and the possibilities are nearly endless

  • @angledcoathanger
    @angledcoathanger 8 років тому

    So stoked for that music channel!

  • @klausb.7505
    @klausb.7505 7 років тому

    Thanks 4 showing all the gr8 Stuff, which we missed as kids ! keep it up !

  • @edherdman9973
    @edherdman9973 5 років тому +3

    What video cards (even in 2015) are still emulating CGA / EGA modes for compatibility? I don't think the pixel clock goes low enough to drive those signals...

    • @stevebez2767
      @stevebez2767 4 роки тому

      sbc,besides,mac,raspi...billions of mainframe terminal busses of supercomp data centers,stalleites round mars, trains,busses,kiosks,etc etc,puggy cell,eh...yes pixel yuh say

  • @PeteKowalsky
    @PeteKowalsky 8 років тому +23

    LOL @ 7:20, yeah I'm pretty sure it was an OB-8 or OB-Xa or something... :D

    • @SiliconBassist
      @SiliconBassist 8 років тому +4

      Yes, the OB-Xa!

    • @zibbybone
      @zibbybone 8 років тому +2

      OB-X on recording, OB-Xa in video

  • @virtuafighter3
    @virtuafighter3 7 років тому

    You have magic powers Sir! Really good work here. Very informative.

  • @adamh5075
    @adamh5075 5 років тому

    This is the first of your videos I've seen. Well done, sir! It's just a very good video, and you're an impressive keyboardist.

  • @whatsf2
    @whatsf2 8 років тому +28

    1:21 COMIC SANSSS

    • @theLuigiFan0007Productions
      @theLuigiFan0007Productions 7 років тому +4

      I can't see that font without thinking of Sans from Undertale. XD

    • @lancer6643
      @lancer6643 4 роки тому

      ddd a a# g f dfg ccd a a# g f dfg bbd a a# g f dfg a#a#d a a# g f dfg

    • @aleksavasic2612
      @aleksavasic2612 Рік тому

      What is wrong with comic sans (if it's readable, that makes up for the ugliness).

  • @pesokpesok
    @pesokpesok 7 років тому +164

    the extreme closeup of your face makes me a bit uncomfortable since it is literally life sized on my 34" UltraWide screen:) Move back a bit guy!
    P.S. Still glad i found your channel since i also appreciate and interested in old computer tech. Wish you had more videos though - keep up a good work!

    • @jelpy
      @jelpy 7 років тому +7

      Pesok lol

    • @GamesFromSpace
      @GamesFromSpace 7 років тому +35

      He would look like Zordon on my 144" projection screen.

    • @GhostyOcean
      @GhostyOcean 7 років тому +1

      he has another channel, 8-bit keys. it's all about old keyboards

    • @GhostyOcean
      @GhostyOcean 7 років тому

      he has another channel, 8-bit keys. it's all about old keyboards

    • @Domarius64
      @Domarius64 7 років тому +16

      Louis Move back a bit? Maybe he should move back 8 bits? :D

  • @emiel333
    @emiel333 5 років тому

    Lovely video. Back in the 80's, I owned a Yamaha keyboard with a custom made flightcase. It was from the Yamaha PSS series. Also had a Casio with built-in sampler which was great fun to mess and play around with friends!

  • @totalchipster1552
    @totalchipster1552 7 років тому

    I have a Yamaha PSS-470, wish I had one as a kid since I loved Sega Genesis sounds. Love your channel!

  • @flourfree2K
    @flourfree2K 5 років тому +6

    How funny that Yamaha used Yamaha chips for its own keyboards...

    • @stevebez2767
      @stevebez2767 4 роки тому +1

      as spy to sink1 bi pass hiz store 'e'[realutues]av encrypted cipher steams ling scrambled rotors keyed screamer zombie giv opz2non notty az 123 mugs fings az aloha bet geass hiss sez but byte bool2war spec abstract mal level alex unknown slang new killer vites fir homo quil meglo buikd a bill grope bark no moss buy key rye ed4 quanta chaotic outward bounds red biro ghost writes 'reasons'if yer 'read'buy 'whoke book'of suzuki art of zen motorcycles where 'all media'enigma 'reproduced mass medias'singkung synchro shit iff if any kooky look primal nonexistances az cant attempt too know mass tech directky relating exactly thy entire whole oublushed wirks an build udols too scream nit a that kill its these actir impersonate soy rig osyco cabinets act2calm you4vat farm mill you2ace1&CLAIM cooywrite,authority isnt a tune,sound,or note,hard china hym awe lazers!YAM

  • @LegoWormNoah101
    @LegoWormNoah101 5 років тому +3

    The captions are very screwed up. It says English, but it's either Spanish or French!

  • @Frostfly
    @Frostfly 6 років тому

    I love that you feature the Ultima games....First game i ever purchased was ultima 3 and they were a highlight of my computer life growing up. Thanks for the memories.

  • @topsecret1837
    @topsecret1837 5 років тому

    So this was the beginning of 8 Bit Keys... cool. Gonna binge watch them all.

  • @DiodeMilliampere
    @DiodeMilliampere 9 років тому +5

    YO if you like controlling OPL2 you should check out adlib tracker and control OPL3!

  • @mitchmatthiesen5845
    @mitchmatthiesen5845 8 років тому +7

    @ The iBookGuy The Yamaha PSS-360, PSS-370, VSS-30, VSS-100, and VSS-200 seem to be based on the Yamaha YM-3812, because they are based on similar FM synthesis.

    • @The8BitGuy
      @The8BitGuy  8 років тому +1

      +Cheryl Matthiesen It's possible. I can't find any information on them that definitely answers that question. I think somebody would have to attain one and disassemble it to be sure. Lots of Yamaha keyboards used FM synthesis, but not all of them used the YM-3812.

    • @therealdeal6659
      @therealdeal6659 8 років тому

      +The 8-Bit Guy Why did you rename your channel?

    • @The8BitGuy
      @The8BitGuy  8 років тому +1

      +SutorippuDotCom The PSS-100 is already documented as having a YM3427 synth chip.

    • @Barnaby71
      @Barnaby71 8 років тому

      +The 8-Bit Guy Hey, You know what's cool? You have the same glasses as me XD.

    • @YannisAggelakos
      @YannisAggelakos 8 років тому +1

      +Mitch Matthiesen read here:
      www.dtech.lv/techarticles_yamaha_chips.html

  • @kajeellworth4746
    @kajeellworth4746 4 роки тому +1

    PSS-470 was my first keyboard as a kid, it was great for a beginner, had so much fun with that little keyboard

  • @KPdewstar
    @KPdewstar 7 років тому

    Keep up the great work
    Your channel is so awesome
    Would love to see you delve into samplers or effects units

  • @TheBcoolGuy
    @TheBcoolGuy 7 років тому +4

    I wonder if my Samsung Galaxy S4 emulates that Yamaha chip.

  • @basicforge
    @basicforge 7 років тому +16

    Cool video, but wouldn't it be more accurate to call them Adlib keyboards? The SoundBlaster was more than a music card.

    • @BertGrink
      @BertGrink 7 років тому +1

      A bit off-topic, but are you the Liberty Basic/FreeBasic guy? If you are, I've been using FreeBasic for some years, just for various small hobby projects, and i think it's great.

    • @basicforge
      @basicforge 7 років тому +2

      Hi, yeah I'm the Liberty BASIC guy (also Just BASIC and Run BASIC), but not FreeBasic. :-)

    • @BertGrink
      @BertGrink 7 років тому +1

      oh yes, sorry, i got my wires crossed, i DID actually mean JustBasic. I hope i didn't offend you, i certainly didn't mean to.
      One of my projects was an emulator for the Texas Instruments TI Programmable 57, which progressed quite nicely until i started on the calculating engine, at which point i realised that i didn't have enough information about the inner workings of the calculator chip.
      Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, and hopefully one day i'll be able to continue :)
      Thanks for your reply, and greetings from Denmark.

    • @basicforge
      @basicforge 7 років тому +2

      Hi, no offense taken at all. :-) Have you had a look at Run BASIC? It's a super easy web programming system.

    • @BertGrink
      @BertGrink 7 років тому

      Yes i did take a look at it a year ago or so, but to be honest, i'm kind of an old school guy who perfers programming in the old-fashioned way ;)

  • @Masamune0191
    @Masamune0191 5 років тому

    Music from the Sound Blaster board will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember playing those old DOS games with my brothers when I was a kid...

  • @Shadowonshadows
    @Shadowonshadows 7 років тому

    Found your channel recently. I've really enjoyed your videos so far. Subscribed, my dude!

  • @rootvalue
    @rootvalue 5 років тому +3

    The “English” captions for this video are in Spanish or Portuguese?

    • @emojisafadodozap5960
      @emojisafadodozap5960 5 років тому

      Spanish

    • @rootvalue
      @rootvalue 5 років тому

      I don’t think this guy gives a fuck about his audience

    • @stevebez2767
      @stevebez2767 4 роки тому

      HEY en-gb includes alphabet & all symbols used by thise if that then,if yer continually singuluzing like info using you inkine lie line singsong nags yooz iff too no note why dint yer kniw watt dont travel2av c key ream direct as discussed that after encryption with that synchronic whole mass media why no theres not loonys zombie wandering trance but if yooz insys'niw-wot-r-we qui manuals play place fuck art ling gone 'key if c'computers knows?

  • @vwestlife
    @vwestlife 9 років тому +59

    Keyboards that use square wave tone generators can also sound very similar to 1980s computer sound chips, such as the C64, Tandy 1000/IBM PCjr, ColecoVision, Atari ST, etc.: ua-cam.com/video/_TkYTt6AYr4/v-deo.html

  • @gradycothren2267
    @gradycothren2267 3 роки тому

    Holy crap I had a PSS460, got it for Christmas that year! I loved it, used it in a teenage band with some spliced 1/4 inch cables to run through a Crate G60 amp with a Celestion speaker. A year later I ended up buying an Ensoniq ESQ1 and retired it. I had a lot of fun with that 460. For what it was, it sounded pretty decent, especially being able to mildly tweak the sounds with the sliders. Thanks for the video and trip down memory lane!

  • @theprophetkato
    @theprophetkato 4 роки тому

    nice video! now I have to dig out the 25 yamaha keyboards I have in storage... can't wait! lol

  • @crimsun7186
    @crimsun7186 7 років тому +3

    Van Halen most likely used an Oberheim synth for Jump.

    • @ischmidt
      @ischmidt 7 років тому +6

      OB-X on the record, OB-Xa on tour, IIRC.

    • @5roundsrapid263
      @5roundsrapid263 7 років тому +2

      Ian Schmidt Rush used it, also. "Subdivisions" has that synth all over it. Queen used it, too. "I Want to Break Free" has a solo with it.

    • @ischmidt
      @ischmidt 7 років тому

      I'm very aware of Rush's usage - it's all over Moving Pictures and Signals. And most of Styx's hits were Oberheim-powered as well.

  • @Magnymbus
    @Magnymbus 4 роки тому +3

    Sees the empty walls.
    "Holy $#!+, this is an old video!"
    Checks description.
    "Yep... 2015"

  • @BurleyBoar
    @BurleyBoar 4 роки тому

    The new 2020 google algorithm suggested I rewatch this. After 4 years you can see how much the production has improved with new videos but quality content is still the same. Glad to be a patreon and nice to have a reminder how much the production has improved!

  • @xcd.e320
    @xcd.e320 4 роки тому

    Catching up on my 8-bit guy & 8-bit keys vids, ah nostalgia, look at the bare walls of this soon to be million plus sub youtube God!!!